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which countries produce the most e waste

by Nora Ryan Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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China is the world's largest importer and producer of electronic waste with over 70% of all global e-waste ending up in the world's largest dumpsites.

Which country is the largest producer of e waste?

Norway is the leading e-waste producer in the world, followed by Switzerland and Iceland. Click to see full answer. Consequently, which countries receive the most e waste?

Which countries recycle the most e-waste?

Europe has by far the highest collection and recycling rate at 42.5%. Asia, in second place, had a rate of just 11.7%. Africa has the lowest at just 0.9%. 82.6% of electronic waste is not recycled (via official channels) and therefore not documented.

Which countries produce the most construction waste?

Bulgaria's large construction business is the primary generator of the country's waste—the industry alone produces 172 million metric tons of waste. Between 2010 and 2016, real estate construction saw a 16.4% increase in activity in the country. 3. United States

How much e-waste is produced in the UK each year?

The UK ranks second at close to 24 kilograms per capita, while Australia and the U.S. produce between 21 and 22 kilograms. Another factor in the rapid growth of e-waste is appliances becoming cheaper but are more seldomly built to last.

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Which country produces the most e-waste per?

ChinaGlobal e-waste generation by major country 2019 China is the largest producer of electronic waste worldwide, generating more than 10 million metric tons worth in 2019. This was followed by the United States where roughly seven million metric tons was produced.

Which country generates most e-waste in 2020?

ChinaThe largest producer of electronic waste is China with a total of 10.1 million tons. In relative terms, however, the Chinese are a long way from the world's top at 7.2 kilograms per capita. In comparison, many European and Anglo nations produce upwards of 20 kilograms per capita annually.

Which country produces the most e-waste for year?

ChinaChina produces the largest amount of e-waste per year. When computers, televisions, music systems and other electronic products reach the ends of their lives, they often end up in China or other developing countries as e-waste.

Which are the top 3 countries generating e-waste?

NEW DELHI: India is the third largest electronic waste generator in the world after China and the USA and these three countries together contributed 38% of total 53.6 million tonnes (Mt) of e-waste, generated worldwide in 2019.

What country has the most e-waste 2021?

ChinaThe global e-waste leaderboard China lead the way, with 7.2 million tons per annum, while the USA (6.3), Japan (2.1), India (2.0) and Germany (1.9) trail behind.

Which country produces the least e-waste?

There were large differences between nations on the per capita scales, with Cambodia (1.10 kg), Vietnam (1.34 kg) and the Philippines (1.35 kg) the lowest e-waste generators per capita in 2015.

Which country generates highest per capita e-waste?

NorwayIn 2019, Norway had the highest generation of e-waste per capita worldwide. At 28.5 kilograms per capita, this was slightly ahead of both the United Kingdom and Denmark. That year, global e-waste generation increased to to approximately 54 million metric tons.

Which country is ranked fifth in generating e-waste?

New Delhi: India is among the top five e-waste generating countries in the world besides China, the US, Japan and Germany, according to a report.

Which countries are the worst at e-waste?

The countries which lead in per capita production of e-waste are nine European countries, namely Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Denmark, UK, Netherlands, Sweden, France, and Austria, as well as the USA.

How much e-waste is produced in the world?

Globally, 41.8 million metric tons of e-waste was produced in 2014, and can rise up to 33% by 2017. It is fast become a major source of toxic waste. There are many reasons for this waste generation.

What is E-waste?

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is generated by discarding any electronic products like VCRs, DVD players, computers, TVs, monitors, cell phones, fax machines, and printers. Around 60 % of the e-waste ends up in landfill, without being recycled. Electronic products contain toxic metals elements like beryllium, cadmium, mercury or lead which constitute an environmental threat when in landfills. Sometimes e-waste is burnt, leading to the release of highly toxic dioxins and furans from burning plastic, polluting the air. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury can also be released into the air or remain in ashes. When they find their way into the food-chain, especially through aquatic life, they can result in bio-accumulation of poisonous metals, becoming a health risk.

What constitutes e-waste?

There is some confusion on what constitutes e-waste. Refrigerators are also sometimes included as e-waste. In addition, 30% sent to Ghana was found to be new articles. Many parts like plastic, glass and metals that could be reused are lost in landfills. Moreover, precious metals like gold and silver to the tune of $60 million in cellphones and other electronic articles ends up in landfills in the USA alone. Currently some recycling occurs. Plastic is not recycled in many countries to avoid the release of dioxin and furans. Even during recycling, 30% of the material is lost. One of the best ways to manage e-waste, like any other waste, could be to reduce its production. Creating awareness at many levels is being used as one of the best options.

What are the elements that are toxic to the environment?

Electronic products contain toxic metals elements like beryllium, cadmium, mercury or lead which constitute an environmental threat when in landfills. Sometimes e-waste is burnt, leading to the release of highly toxic dioxins and furans from burning plastic, polluting the air. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury can also be released ...

Why is recycling important?

The Importance of Recycling. Another reason for accumulation of waste is that the waste produced is not recycled. There are many laws especially in Europe for the proper treatment of e-waste. Most countries however do not have the facilities to deal with the volume or toxic nature of e-waste.

Why is plastic not recycled?

Plastic is not recycled in many countries to avoid the release of dioxin and furans. Even during recycling, 30% of the material is lost. One of the best ways to manage e-waste, like any other waste, could be to reduce its production. Creating awareness at many levels is being used as one of the best options.

Which country produces the most e-waste?

In fact, nine of the top ten e-waste producing countries in the world by per capita pollution are in Europe and the outlier is the United States. Surprisingly, Nordic nations are top of the pile, with Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Sweden occupying four of the top seven positions, indicating that the high standards of living ...

How much e-waste is generated in the world?

The global e-waste leaderboard. In total, it’s estimated that almost 50 million tons of e-waste will be generated in 2018. China lead the way, with 7.2 million tons per annum, while the USA (6.3), Japan (2.1), India (2.0) and Germany (1.9) trail behind.

How much of Europe's e-waste is recycled?

It’s estimated that approximately 47% of e-waste produced in Europe is recycled, which still leaves considerable room for improvement but is markedly better than the global average of 40%.

Is e-waste a waste?

This is not only a huge waste of precious resources, but also a potential danger as the toxic metal elements found in e-waste can be damaging to the environment and to our health. In fact, prolonged exposure to the chemicals emitted by e-waste can increase the incidence of a variety of health complications, including damage and disorder ...

1. Norway – 26.0 kg

Coming in at number one on the list of the world’s largest e-waste producing countries is Norway with 26 kg per capita.

3. Switzerland – 23.4 kg

Rounding out the top three producers of e-waste in the entire world is Switzerland, with about 23.4 kg of e-waste per capita. This statistic may come as a surprise due to Switzerland’s comprehensive recycling program, which is often considered one of the most comprehensive in the world.

4. Denmark – 22.4 kg

Like most European countries, Denmark has policies in place around recycling EEE. However, they still rank number four in the world’s largest e-waste producing countries.

5. Australia – 21.7 kg

Australia is the world’s fifth-largest producer of e-waste, with 21.7 kg of waste per capita. Australia implemented a national recycling scheme for e-waste back in 2011, but millions of devices are still tossed each year.

6. Netherlands – 21.6 kg

While many Dutch people recycle, e-waste production in the Netherlands is the sixth highest in the world. The act of sorting paper, plastic bottles, compost, and glass is quite ingrained in Dutch society.

7. Iceland – 21.4 kg

The world’s seventh-largest producer of e-waste is Iceland, with 21.4 kg of e-waste per capita. Although Iceland has some excellent policies in place for recycling in general, the amount of e-waste produced shows their need for updated policy and legislation around EEE.

8. Finland – 21.0 kg

Finland is in a three-way tie with France and the United States for the eighth largest producer of e-waste in the world. All three of these countries calculated 21 kg per capita of e-waste in 2019.

Which country produces the most electronic waste?

China is the largest producer of electronic waste worldwide, generating more than 10 million metric tons worth in 2019. This was followed by the United States where roughly seven million metric tons was produced. Global electronic waste generation amounted to approximately 54 million metric tons in 2019 and is expected to increase further in ...

Why is e-waste not recycled?

Due to electronic products often containing harmful components, proper disposal of e-waste is imperative. However, it is often not collected for recycling or un-documented. Many developed countries export e-waste to developing nations where it is often improperly disposed of causing major environmental hazards. But it is not just environmental reasons for proper disposal. E-waste contains valuable resources such as gold, silver, and platinum. It is projected that billions of dollars’ worth of these valuable metals are discarded every year.

What is e-waste used for?

It includes a wide variety of products used in everyday life such as old phones, televisions, fridges, and air conditioners. The most common type of e-waste is small equipment as microwaves, electric kettles, and cameras.

What is electronic waste?

Electronic waste is often referred to as e-waste, and is the fastest growing waste stream worldwide. E-waste consists of electronic equipment that has reached the end of its useful life. It includes a wide variety of products used in everyday life such as old phones, televisions, fridges, and air conditioners. The most common type of e-waste is small equipment as microwaves, electric kettles, and cameras.

Which countries generate the most waste?

Bulgaria. 3. United States. 4. Estonia. 5. Finland. Countries around the globe continue to generate large amounts of waste as their populations grow and their economies expand. In 2018, the World Bank estimated that waste generation will increase as much as 70%—from 2.01 billion tonnes to 3.40 billion in 2050.

What is the World Bank's waste category?

The World Bank has a special category for industrial, medical, e-waste, hazardous, and agricultural waste. The U.S. generated approximately 8.4 billion tonnes in this category of waste in 2017.

How much garbage does Bulgaria produce?

The estimated annual waste per capita in Bulgaria is 26.7 metric tons and the estimated annual waste total is 189,141,945 metric tons.

How much waste will be produced in 2050?

The World Bank predicts that 3.40 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) will be produced in 2050. If the World Bank's projections are correct, waste generation will dramatically outpace population growth by more than double by 2050.

How much waste does Canada generate?

Canada's estimated total waste generation is the largest in the entire world. It has an estimated annual waste total is 1,325,480,289 metric tons. Given Canada's population of 36.7 million, that's an estimated annual waste per capita of 36.1 metric tons.

What will happen to waste generation in 2050?

If the World Bank's projections are correct, waste generation will dramatically outpace population growth by more than double by 2050. Here are the five countries in the world that produce the most waste, according to the World Banks's “What a Waste” global database, last updated in September of 2018.

What is total waste?

The total waste figure is the sum of all the waste in the latest year for which data was available in the special categories of agricultural waste, construction and demolition, e-waste, hazardous waste, industrial waste, medical waste, and the total municipal solid waste (MSW).

Which continent produces the most e-waste?

Asia (24.9 Mt), the Americas (13.1 Mt) and Europe (12Mt) produced the overwhelming majority of E-Waste when measured by total weight.

How much of the world's e-waste is recycled?

Only 17.4% of total global e-waste is known to have been collected and properly recycled. This figure has fallen in the last 5 years as a percentage of total waste generated.

Why don't people recycle electronic equipment?

The fact that so many people don’t do this is down to either a lack of education or sheer laziness.

How much of e-waste goes to landfill?

It is estimated that 8% of e-waste is discarded in the trash, and subsequently goes to landfill or gets incinerated. This consists mostly of smaller electrical and It items (tablets, mobile phones etc).

Why is the e-waste market growing?

That’s why the global e-waste management market is likely to grow, due to financial reasons as well as environmental ones.

What are the raw materials in e-waste?

There are several high value raw materials in e-waste, including gold, copper and iron. It is estimated that the 53.6 Mt of e-waste generated in 2019 contained raw materials worth around $57 billion.

How much has the global e-waste generation increased over the last decade?

On average, the global e-waste generation has increased by 2 Mt annually over the last decade

Which country produces the most plastic waste?

The country which produces the most waste is the United States. Second, is the United Kingdom. Americans produce on average 105 kg of waste per capita, per year, while the figure stands at 98.66 kg for the United Kingdom. These staggering numbers show the extreme levels of plastic waste that are thrown out each year. All of this plastic, which generally has an extremely long shelf life, is left to pile up in garbage dumps, or accumulate in the world’s oceans, creating a bigger and bigger waste problem throughout the world.

How much plastic is produced in the world?

Together, the world produces roughly 300 million tons of plastic each year, and authorities are simply running out of ‘safe’ places to put it. Of these 300 million tons, an estimated 8.8 million end up in the ocean, according to a 2015 study titled Plastic Waste Inputs From Land into the Ocean, by JENNA R. JAMBECK et. al.

What is the effect of plastic waste incineration?

Plastic waste incineration produces massive pollution and releases toxic fumes into the air.

What would happen if China didn't produce plastic?

In this way, all aspects of the plastic industry and economy are linked, and have effects on the wider world.

Is plastic waste a problem?

Plastic waste is one of the largest issues facing our world today. It has become the biggest concern of younger generations, and one of the most important environmental and ethical issues of our time. Single-use plastics such as food wrappers, plastic bags and beverage bottles are filling the landfills and oceans of our world with increasing speed, and they simply cannot be broken down fast enough.

Can plastic be recycled?

One of the most misunderstood systems, especially in relation to plastic waste reduction, is recycling. Generally speaking, it is thought that excess plastic can simply be recycled, and the issue of waste all but eliminated. This is sadly not the case.

Is waste a global problem?

Waste cannot be isolated to one area, or one nation, as the emissions and environmental impacts of this plastic are widespread, and have ripple effects all over the world. Though waste may be produced in the United States, if this waste finds its way into the sea, it very quickly becomes a global problem, contaminating fish in the open ocean with microplastics, or polluting natural ocean habitats. The nature of our world and our ecosystems are such that pollution in one area will eventually spread to another area, and decrease the overall health of the planet as a whole.

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Norway – 26.0 Kg

  • Coming in at number one on the list of the world’s largest e-waste producing countries is Norway with 26 kg per capita. While Norwayis known for having a well-oiled system for general waste and recycling (including waste to energy incineration plants and a ban on traditional landfills), the rate at which Norwegians consume and replace electronics p...
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The United Kingdom + Northern Ireland – 23.9 Kg

  • The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland are other top contributors of e-waste, with nearly 24 kg of waste per capita. The UK does have a policy in place around e-waste, but – just like Norway – the amount of consumption of EEE is much higher than the rate at which it is recycled. The percentage rate of regular recycling may also explain why so much e-waste is produced in the U…
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Switzerland – 23.4 Kg

  • Rounding out the top three producers of e-waste in the entire world is Switzerland, with about 23.4 kg of e-waste per capita. This statistic may come as a surprise due to Switzerland’s comprehensive recycling program, which is often considered one of the most comprehensive in the world. Around 50% of the country’s national waste is recycled, and the remaining 50% is inci…
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Denmark – 22.4 Kg

  • Like most European countries, Denmark has policies in place around recycling EEE. However, they still rank number four in the world’s largest e-waste producing countries. So while this Nordic country is a front runner in terms of diverting waste from landfills by way of incineration with energy recovery, they are also a front runner in e-waste. Way back in 1978, Denmark implemente…
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Australia – 21.7 Kg

  • Australia is the world’s fifth-largest producer of e-waste, with 21.7 kg of waste per capita. Australia implemented a national recycling scheme for e-waste back in 2011, but millions of devices are still tossed each year. In fact, e-waste is the fastest-growing section of the country’s solid waste stream. It’s estimated that only about 22% of EEE is recycled each year, and the rem…
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Netherlands – 21.6 Kg

  • While many Dutch people recycle, e-waste production in the Netherlands is the sixth highest in the world. The act of sorting paper, plastic bottles, compost, and glass is quite ingrained in Dutch society. That being said, high consumption rates lead to high levels of waste, even when recycling rates are high. Even with an estimated recycling rate of 88% for EEE, the Netherlands produces s…
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Iceland – 21.4 Kg

  • The world’s seventh-largest producer of e-waste is Iceland, with 21.4 kg of e-waste per capita. Although Iceland has some excellent policies in place for recycling in general, the amount of e-waste produced shows their need for updated policy and legislation around EEE. One of the main issues that Iceland faces is that there are relatively few metropolitan areas, and the rural region…
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Finland – 21.0 Kg

  • Finland is in a three-way tie with France and the United States for the eighth largest producer of e-waste in the world. All three of these countries calculated 21 kg per capita of e-waste in 2019. Finland’s recycling system is extremely well developed, especially compared with the rest of the world. As much as 93% of paper is recycled, and the rate is around 96% for aluminum cans. Finl…
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France – 21.0 Kg

  • France also reported 21 kg of e-waste per capita in 2019. However, unlike many of the other countries on our list of the biggest e-waste producers in the world, France has implemented new legislation and policy around EEE. At the start of 2020, the country introduced a “repairability index” which requires manufacturers of electronic devices to disclose how repairable their produ…
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United States of America – 21.0 Kg

  • Just like France and Finland, the United States reported 21 kg of e-waste per capita in 2019. Unfortunately, the U.S. is far behind Europe when it comes to recycling in general, and there is no national law that mandates recycling of any kind. That being said, late in 2021, the EPA released plans to adopt a national recycling strategy for the first time in the agency’s history. However, ev…
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1.Chart: The Countries Producing the Most E-Waste | Statista

Url:https://www.statista.com/chart/24291/e-waste-by-country/

7 hours ago 10 rows · The countries which lead in per capita production of e-waste are nine European countries, ...

2.Highest E-Waste Generating Nations In The World

Url:https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/highest-e-waste-generating-nations-in-the-world.html

2 hours ago  · The global e-waste leaderboard. In total, it’s estimated that almost 50 million tons of e-waste will be generated in 2018. China lead the way, with 7.2 million tons per annum, while the USA (6.3), Japan (2.1), India (2.0) and Germany (1.9) trail behind.

3.Which Countries Produce the Most E-Waste? Envirotech …

Url:https://www.envirotech-online.com/news/health-and-safety/10/breaking-news/which-countries-produce-the-most-e-waste/46470

21 hours ago  · The United States and China generated the most e-waste last year - 32 percent of the world's total. However, on a per capita basis, several countries famed for their environmental awareness and recycling records lead the way. Norway is on top of the world's electronic waste mountain, generating 62.4 lbs per inhabitant.

4.The World’s 30 Largest E-waste Producing Countries

Url:https://journeyz.co/largest-e-waste-producing-countries/

35 hours ago  · The largest producer of electronic waste is China with a total of 10.1 million tons. In relative terms, however, the Chinese are a long way from the …

5.E-waste generation globally by key country 2019 | Statista

Url:https://www.statista.com/statistics/499952/ewaste-generation-worldwide-by-major-country/

17 hours ago  · The countries that produced the most waste in 2017 were Canada, Bulgaria, the United States, Estonia, and Finland. Waste Generation and Outpace Population Growth

6.5 Countries That Produce the Most Waste - Investopedia

Url:https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets-economy/090716/5-countries-produce-most-waste.asp

34 hours ago 10 rows · China, the US, and India produce the most e-waste. Only 17.4% of e-waste is known to be ...

7.17 Shocking E-Waste Statistics In 2022 - The Roundup

Url:https://theroundup.org/global-e-waste-statistics/

7 hours ago  · The country which produces the most waste is the United States. Second, is the United Kingdom. Americans produce on average 105 kg of waste per capita, per year, while the figure stands at 98.66 kg for the United Kingdom. These staggering numbers show the extreme levels of plastic waste that are thrown out each year.

8.10 Countries Producing The Most Plastic Waste

Url:https://www.worldatlas.com/geography/10-countries-producing-the-most-plastic-waste.html

26 hours ago

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